The Economic And Political Environment During Early Post War

The source, spoken on the 5th June 1947, is an extract from an address given by the then Secretary of State, George Marshall, outlining his and America’s plan to provide substantial economic aid to the European states, to help facilitate the rebuilding process in the continent. To understand both the need and importance of Marshall’s address in 1947, the economic and political environment in early post war Europe the must be put into context. The Second World War left the majority of European states in serious economic trouble; ‘economies were suffering with open and repressed inflation, disruptive food and raw material shortages’, and the destruction of industry from bombing left production stagnant, consequently leading to the collapse of trade and widespread commodity hoarding in Europe. The political state of the continent was therefore volatile, as Europe cooperation struggled deeply with an identity crisis and the Soviet Union increased its sphere of influence across the East. If ‘hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos’ were to amass, the economic and political advantages of being allied with the continent would quickly deteriorate and soon after Europe would become a serious threat to America. Therefore, Marshall und erstood ‘that European economic recovery was essential to the long-term interests of the United States’ and once becoming Secretary of State on 21st January 1947, he knew substantial plan of American aid must be put in place. While Marshall gives hisShow MoreRelatedModernization Theory Of The Post War Years1324 Words   |  6 PagesSecond World War. The United States found themselves in a unique position where they had shown their military and technological prowess, were the only victor whose infrastructure had not been damaged by the war and saw themselves as the technological leader of the world and a model to be emulated. 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